Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Catholic Education Office

Animals Use in Schools - ACT

Related Policies:

Animals Use in Schools - NSW

Purpose:

This policy gives direction to principals and teachers of ACT schools in relation to the acceptable use of animals in schools.

Policy:

The requirements of any Commonwealth and ACT legislation must be observed for the acquisition, transport, breeding, housing, killing, care and use of animals for teaching purposes.

Definitions:

‘Animals' are non-human vertebrate animals (with a backbone) and include all fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Procedures:

1. The use of animals for educational purposes must be a planned and documented part of the school curriculum.

2. Animals should be kept under the care of qualified and experienced staff and should be handled and transported under conditions of minimal stress.

3. Educational projects requiring the use of animals should be designed to ensure the most efficient use of the least number of animals.

4. Schools must maintain an appropriate register of the number of animals used, the procedures used on these animals and the means of disposal of live and dead animals.

5.  When planning to use animals in an educational program, teachers and school staff should consider the following points:

• the educational aims of the project;
• the number, type, age and sex of the animals to be used;
• the procedures to be used on the animals;
• the likely effect on students of the procedures to be used;
• the attitudes to be developed in students by this project;
• possible alternatives to the use of animals, for example, videos, posters, audio visual material;
• permits that need to be obtained;
• the means of disposal of live and dead animals.

References:

Animals in Schools: Animal Welfare Guidelines for Teachers NSW CEC

Implementation Guidelines for ACT Government schools

Forms:

Nil

Last updated on December 2, 2006